Background: Children are a large patient group in emergency care. It is important that nurses have knowledge about encountering children in the emergency care. The nurse who work primarily at regular emergency departments do usually take care of adult patients. Therefore, the nurses have the most knowledge and competence about these patients. This means that nurses’ may have a lack of capacity when it comes to meeting children and their families in emergency care.

Aim: The aim of this literature study was to illuminate nurses’ experiences with children andtheir families in emergency care. 

Method: A method of a five-step model was performed and based on analysis of ten qualitative scientific articles in order to contribute to evidence-based knowledge for nursing care. The analysis resulted in three main themes and seven subthemes. 

Results: The main themes were: Create a relationship, External factors that affect the care meeting and Knowledge and clinical skills. Nurses experienced insecurity in the meeting with the child and their families. This was based on deficiencies in experience and qualification in pediatric nursing. 

Conclusion: The nurse needs to be able to conform the meeting based on the child's developmental level and needs. The environment can be perceived by the child as stressful, which can affect the meeting with the nurse and the quality of care. This literature study showed that family-centered care is important. The nurse needs to take both the child and their family into account in order to be able to provide safe care.